Add me as the one when I saw her last year's Titanic. I really like her deep long smooth edges from her last year. And I saw her improvement on her jump technique this year. She has the full package. I was so angry last year she was under marked. She should get at leaset the same SS if not higher SS as Sasha. Judge still hold her down.

Shizuka is a gorgeous skater, beautiful positions and it looks like she floats when jumping.

Does anyone know the artist/source of her SP music skated at the GP final? It was listed as The Umbrellas of Cherbourg but definitely was not (she did use this piece for her exhibition). It sounded like a techno version of Swan Lake and was really cool! Any ideas????

Originally posted by SK8GR8 Does anyone know the artist/source of her SP music skated at the GP final? It was listed as The Umbrellas of Cherbourg but definitely was not (she did use this piece for her exhibition). It sounded like a techno version of Swan Lake and was really cool! Any ideas????

Shizuka kind of disappeared for a while prior to the '02/03 season, but when she came back I was like, "WOWEE!" I love this girl. Edges to DIE for. I know a lot of people didn't like her techno "Swan Lake" SP but I thought it was just about the best SP of last season, second to Michelle's "The Feeling Begins," and about tied with Sasha's "Malaguena."

My only problem with her before was the rushing on the spiral sequence and not hitting clear strong positiosns in her combo spins. But after her three GP events, either Callaghan or Callaghan and choreographer changed her spiral sequnce and got her to take her time with her beautiful positions, plus added new positions. Her combo spins are also 100% better. Whether the changes were inspired by the COP or not, I was thrilled to see them at IFSC. Her edges, flow, and speed not only has me in love, but also her overall way of moving plus her sense of humor. You tend to see her sense of humor in the K&C (once she pretended to take a bite out of a stuffed animal--my kind of gal) but I'd love to see it in one of her programs, even an exhibition program. Shizuka's been aroud a long time and it's wonderful to see her make such a big improvement in the last two seasons. Also, IMO, Shizuka has the most beautiful LP costume this season. I love the cut of it. Interesting and unusual, and extremely flattering. Do it Shizuka!
Rgirl

Yeah, last year it was my first time saw her skating, had I saw her before I couldn't remember cuz she did not raise my attention before last season, wow I love her skating right way. But Last year some of her jumps looks wiered especially the 3/3s. And somve of her movements are not held long enough.

This year she really improved a lot. Actually I thought she should've won that ABC Intl Chalange, but since it was Michellle, my automate favorate win I'm not going to cry wuz robbered for her.. But on other side I had hoped Arakawa won, cuz I also want the skating god save the big win for my Michelle at Nats and Worlds.

Shizuka Arakawa

Last year I really saw her for the first time and thought she had potential, but put her in the "wait and see" category. But this year I am rapidly becoming a fan. She is developing an elegant style and good choreography. As others have mentioned her edges are second to none. She's also a strong jumper with a true lutz and good carriage, stroking and speed across the ice. She also is becoming reasonably consistent, which is very important.

Areas where she could use some work include her spins, which generally tend to be weak and her spiral position above the skate. As is true of many developing skaters, some of the moves in her programs seem "throw-away." Once she gets to the point where everything is polished, a la Sasha and Michelle, she will be a huge force to be reckoned with. Her basics are astonishingly good.

I noticed Shizuka Arakawa the first time I ever saw her skate at 2001 Skate America........where she placed a respectable 4th place.......but what really drew my attention to her was the fact that she immediately reminded me of one of my all-time favorites, Sarah Hughes (using the same music, Turandot, that Sarah had used the previous season). She was tall, elegant, lithe, flexible, able to do 3/3s (did one there & also a 3/3/2 later on at 2002 4CC), gorgeous Ina Bauer that covered the entire ice, flexible & elegant spins, smooth like buttah, and knees that were not knockneed. She was so good that I thought if she maintains her consistency while improving overall little-by-little, keeps landing 6/7 triple programs w/one triple-triple or possibly two, then she'll (hopefully) get recognition from the judges and possibly end up winning big someday. Though I didn't think it would be that season, it was easy to tell this gal was going places baby. (:^D

To me, Shizuka is a combination of her countrywomen Yoshie & Fumie.......the best type IMHO......a powerful combination of athleticism & artistry/presentation. Proving that one doesn't have to be one or the other ~ i.e. either a ballerina or a fullback ~ no, she is proof that ONE can have it all. Which is refreshing to see IMHO - get so tired of reading on the internet those that say jumps are hurting the sport (yada, yada) - and basically underestimating & pigeon-holing female skaters by saying things like "Oh, I'm so glad that COP is here b/c it'll limit the jumping beans & bring back footwork, spins, spirals, etc." Please, I say that it doesn't have to be black or white, rather it can be both. Just as Sarah Hughes proved at the 2002 Olympics ~ beautiful spins, elegant spirals, intricate footwork, nice flowing edges, difficult jumps & 3/3s, above average speed, interesting choreography, lyrical mature performance. That said, I'm still waiting for that unicorn, I know she's out there - maybe not this year, maybe not next, but one day (possibly in 10 or 50 yrs. from now) - the ONE that will be born that is a combination of Oksana Baiul's magical artistry & Midori Ito's equally magical athleticism. A needle in a haystack for me, but I'll be waiting. (;^)

Peace & Love, Nadine

P.S. Btw, Shizuka is still the only one amongst Yoshie & Fumie that has landed a 3/3 in competition (fairly regularly at that), though Yoshie has come close w/her 3T-3T sequence & Fumie w/her occasional 3Z/3T in practice. Also, Shizuka has landed 7 triples in competition before, never has Fumie, but possibly Yoshie though I don't think so.

I first noticed Shizuka when she was about 12 and skated to ice castles in an Obersdorf gala. She was such a cutie but I never managed to see her again until Lalique a couple of years ago where I was amazed by how much she had matured. She was absolutely fabulous live and the costume she wore really helped but her lines were fabulous, she looked about ten feet tall on the ice.